Fight over homosexuality in Texas GOP platform far from over

Published 10:51 am, Friday, June 6, 2014

FORT WORTH – Gay Republicans are fighting a rear-guard action at the Texas GOP Convention, where debate over the party platform has veered into Biblical prohibitions against homosexuality.

A late Thursday night platform committee session provided a partial victory for delegates who want to keep long-standing language that says "homosexuality tears at the fabric of society" out of the platform. The language was not included in the draft platform, but social conservatives who want it restored sought to replace the word "homosexuality" with "sexual sins."

The list of sins would have included fornication, polygamy, adultery, incest, bestiality and divorce, all of which would be defined as contrary to the Bible. Challenged on the lengthy list of acts, one platform committee member said, "We don't want to miss any."

One sticking point was whether divorce should be removed from the list if it results from a spouse's infidelity. There also was debate about whether the prohibited acts should be construed as offending the Bible or natural law.

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Although the anti-gay proposal failed, the panel did sanction the controversial psychological treatment known as "reparative therapy," which seeks to turn homosexuals straight. The therapy, usually rooted in Christian belief, has been banned for use with minors in California and New Jersey – a reason often given for endorsing it in the Texas Republican Party platform.

The proposed therapy plank, backed by Texas Eagle Forum leader Cathie Adams, would "recognize the legitimacy and efficacy of counseling, which offers reparative therapy and treatment for those patients seeking healing and wholeness from their homosexual lifestyle."

The full convention is expected to take a final vote on the platform Saturday.

On March 6, Texas voters will decide who will carry the Democratic party's mantle into the battle for governor and a slew of other statewide offices. Click here for full coverage of the primary elections. Find our voters guide here.